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Merck plans $18 million expansion of veterinary vaccine unit

BOXMEER, NETHERLANDS — Merck Animal Health, formerly known as Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, is planning an $18 million expansion of a vaccine-manufacturing unit in the Netherlands.

The expansion will allow Merck to double the capacity of its Tissue Culture Department, where antigens for viral and parasitological vaccines are manufactured for international markets. It will help Merck respond to outbreaks by allowing the plant to produce large-scale batches of veterinary vaccines in a short period of time during emergencies.

"Animal health is an important part of Merck's business going forward, and the company is committed to the strategic development of the animal-health business. By addressing the increasing global need for high-quality, high-volume veterinary vaccine manufacturing capacity, we continue to deliver on the promise to our customers to make Merck Animal Health a best-in-class global animal-health leader," says Dr. John T. McCubbins, senior vice president of Animal Health Manufacturing for Merck.